Inhomogeneous Density Distribution Research Articles

Ultrasound-trigged micro/nanorobots for biomedical applications.

Micro- and nanorobots (MNRs) propelled by external actuations have broad potential in biomedical applications. Among the numerous external excitations, ultrasound (US) features outstanding practical significance with merits of its noninvasiveness, tunability, penetrability, and biocompatibility. Attributing to various physiochemical effects of US, it can propel the MNRs with sophisticated structures through asymmetric acoustic streaming, bubble oscillation, and so on. In this review, we introduce several advanced and representative US-propelled MNRs with inhomogeneous density distribution, asymmetric shape, hollow cavity, etc. The potential biomedical applications of these cutting-edge MNRs are also presented, including intracellular delivery, harmful substances collection, and so on. Furthermore, we conclude the advantages and limitations of US-propelled MNRs and prospect their future developments in multidisciplinary fields.

Effect of inhomogeneous distribution of critical-current density on AC susceptibility in superconducting film

In this paper, the AC susceptibility in superconducting film is studied by the extended exponential critical state model, in which the critical-current density is assumed to be inhomogeneous distributed, namely, space gradient dependent. The results show that it should be noted that existence of the gradient parameter produces a quantitative effect on the form of the dependence of AC susceptibility. The magnetization properties caused by the gradient parameter are also highly nonlinear, which should be useful for the design of thin superconducting film devices.

High-resolution X-ray spectra of RS Ophiuchi (2006 and 2021): Revealing the cause of SSS variability

Context. The ~ 10–20 yr recurrent symbiotic nova RS Oph exploded on 2021 August 9, the seventh confirmed recorded outburst since 1898. During the previous outburst in 2006, the current fleet of X-ray space observatories was already in operation, and thanks to the longevity of Swift, XMM-Newton, and Chandra, a direct comparison between these two outbursts is possible. The Swift monitoring campaign revealed similar behaviour during the early shock phase but very different behaviour during the super-soft source (SSS) phase. Two XMM-Newton observations were made during the 2021 SSS phase on days 37.1 and 55.6 after the 2021 optical peak. We focus in this work on the bright SSS observation on day 55.6 and compare to SSS Chandra and XMM-Newton grating observations made on days 39.7, 54, and 66.9 after the 2006 optical peak. Aims. By exploring the reasons for the differences between the 2006 and 2021 outbursts, we aim to obtain a better general understanding of the emission and absorption mechanisms. While the emission mechanisms hold the key to the physics of novae and nuclear burning, absorption processes may dominate what we observe, and we aim to explore the cause of the gross initial variability in the observed SSS emission. Methods. We present a novel approach to down-scaling the observed (brighter) 2006 SSS spectra to match the 2021 day 55.6 spectrum by parameter optimisation of: (1) a constant factor (representing fainter source emission, smaller radius, eclipses, etc.), (2) a multi-ionisation photoelectric absorption model (representing different line-of-sight absorption), and (3) scaling with a ratio of two blackbody models with different effective temperatures (representing different brightness and colours). This model approach does not depend on a source model assuming the intrinsic source to be the same. It is therefore more sensitive to incremental changes than modelling approaches where source and absorption are modelled simultaneously. Results. The 2021d55.6 spectrum can be reproduced remarkably well by multiplying the (brighter) 2006d39.7 and 2006d54 spectra with the absorption model, while the 2006d66.9 spectrum requires additional colour changes to match the 2021.d55.6 spectrum. The 2006d39.7 spectrum much more closely resembles the 2021d55.6 spectrum in shape and structure than the same-epoch 2006d54 spectrum: The spectra on days 2006d39.7 and 2021d55.6 are richer in absorption lines with a deeper O I absorption edge, and blueshifts are higher (~1200 km s−1) than on day 2006d54 (~700 km s−1). In the SSS light curves on days 2006d39.7, 2006d54, and 2021d55.6, brightness and hardness variations are correlated, indicating variations of the O I column density. Only on day 2006d39.7, a 1000 s lag is observed. The 35 s period was detected on day 2021d55.6 with lower significance compared to 2006d54. Conclusions. We conclude that the central radiation source is the same, while absorption is the principal reason for observing lower soft-X-ray emission in 2021 than in 2006. This is consistent with a similar 2006 and 2021 [Fe X] line-flux evolution. We explain the reduction in line blueshift, depth in O I edge, and number of absorption lines from day 2006d39.7 to 2006d54 by deceleration and heating of the ejecta within the stellar wind of the companion. In 2021, less such deceleration and heating was observed, which we interpret as due to viewing at different angles through an inhomogeneous density distribution of the stellar wind, allowing free expansion in some directions (probed in 2021) and a higher degree of deceleration in others (probed in 2006). The higher absorption in 2021 can then be explained by the lower-temperature absorbing plasma being more opaque to soft X-rays. Our approach of scaling observations against observations is free of ambiguities from imperfect source models and can be applied to other grating spectra with complex continuum sources.

Anomalous electronic energy losses in protons passing through Gd thin films

We report a theoretical analysis of recent data on the unexpectedly high electronic energy loss protons in a polycrystalline gadolinium target. These results led the authors of this data to conclude that the free electron model used to analyse these results fails. In this work we provide a quantitative explanation of the experimental results, using an approach based on density functional theory within the framework of the free electron gas model. We performed semi-classical trajectory simulations (SCTS) and employ the local-density-approximation model (LDA), using an inhomogeneous electron density distribution and the polycrystalline character of Gd samples. The good agreement obtained, delineates the need of considering a realistic description of a particle trajectory and the effective electron density ‘seen’ along it, whose description remains within a FEG model.

Simulation-based setting suggestions for yarn winding units to reduce color variation in knitted fabric

The finishing of yarns by bobbin dyeing is of key importance in the value chain of home and apparel textiles. In the bobbin dyeing process, yarn bobbins are placed on dye spindles and passed through with dye liquor. If the winding process parameters are selected unfavorably, the density of the winding package is inhomogeneous. The inhomogeneous density distribution leads to an inhomogeneous flow of dye liquid through the package and, hence, to dyeing defects. In order to minimize dyeing defects and to reduce set-up times, we present a simulation-based parameter recommendation for cross-winding machines in this paper. We use a kinematic model of the winding process combined with an empirical model for the package diameter to optimize the package density distribution. We introduce a criterion to avoid patterning defects and adapt winding settings. For bobbins with Nm 34 Co yarn, the homogeneity of the density was improved and the color deviation was reduced by up to 50% due to these simulation-based setting suggestions.

Turbulent Magnetic Field Amplification by the Interaction of a Shock Wave and Inhomogeneous Medium

Magnetic fields of the order of 100 μG observed in young supernova remnants cannot be amplified by shock compression alone. To investigate the amplification caused by a turbulent dynamo, we perform three-dimensional MHD simulations of the interaction between a shock wave and an inhomogeneous density distribution with a shallow spectrum in the preshock medium. The postshock turbulence is mainly driven by the strongest preshock density contrast and follows the Kolmogorov scaling. The resulting turbulence amplifies the postshock magnetic field. The time evolution of the magnetic fields agrees with the prediction of the nonlinear turbulent dynamo theory of Xu & Lazarian. When the initially weak magnetic field is perpendicular to the shock normal, the maximum amplification of the field’s strength reaches a factor of ≈200, which is twice as large as that for a parallel shock. We find that the perpendicular shock exhibits a smaller turbulent Alfvén Mach number in the vicinity of the shock front than the parallel shock. However, the strongest magnetic field has a low volume filling factor and is limited by the turbulent energy due to the reconnection diffusion taking place in a turbulent and magnetized fluid. The magnetic field strength averaged along the z-axis is reduced by a factor ≳10. We decompose the turbulent velocity and magnetic field into solenoidal and compressive modes. The solenoidal mode is dominant and evolves to follow the Kolmogorov scaling, even though the preshock density distribution has a shallow spectrum. When the preshock density distribution has a Kolmogorov spectrum, the turbulent velocity’s compressive component increases.

Spatially Confined Li Growth on Honeycomb-like Lithiophilic Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheet Arrays toward a Stable Li Metal Anode.

A lithium metal anode (LMA) is appealing due to its high theoretical capacity and low electrochemical potential. Unfortunately, the practical application of LMAs is restricted by the uncontrollable Li dendrite growth and tremendous volume change. Herein, lithiophilic honeycomb-like layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheet arrays supported on a flexible carbon cloth (NiMn-LDHs NAs@CC) are synthesized as the Li host to spatially confine the Li deposition, guiding Li growth via a conformal and uniform manner. First, the lithiophilic NiMn-LDHs NAs as nucleation seeds render the CC substance outstanding lithiophilicity and reduce the nucleation barrier. The hierarchical honeycomb-like structure then directs the oriented Li deposition and provides an open channel for fast ion transport. Finally, the CC skeleton offers a high specific surface for decreasing the inhomogeneous distribution of the current density and enough space for alleviating the volume variations, synergistically inhibiting the dendritic Li growth. As a consequence, the NiMn-LDHs NAs@CC symmetric cell exhibits a low overpotential of less than 17 mV at 2 mA cm-2 and a long lifespan of 2100 h at 3 mA cm-2. In addition, when paired with the LiNiCoMnO2 (NCM111) cathode, the NiMn-LDHs NAs@CC@Li full cell presents enhanced cycling stability and rate capability in comparison to the CC@Li full cell, implying the great potential of the NiMn-LDHs NAs@CC in stabilizing the LMA.

Molecular dynamics simulation of inhomogeneous density distribution mechanism of Ultra-Thin perfluoro sulfonic acid ionomer films on Triple-phase interface of PEM fuel cells

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is a clean power generation component with high energy conversion rate and high energy density. The triple-phase interfaces of catalytic layer are where the electrochemical reaction occurs in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, and its distribution directly affect the reactivity. The triple-phase interface is a nano-thick perfluorosul-fonic acid ionomer (PFSA) film that covers the catalyst particles. When the density of the ultra-thin PFSA film is not uniform, the gas transport resistance increases significantly, which is not conducive to the progress of reaction. However, ultra-thin PFSA film will have inhomogeneous density distribution due to the influence of forming process. Therefore, how to design the process to improve density distribution of ultra-thin films is an urgent problem. Molecular dynamics simulation model is built to study the influence of manufacturing process on inhomogeneous distribution of ultra-thin PFSA film, and the microscopic mechanism is revealed.

Charge Distribution and Spin Textures in Magic-Angle Twisted Bilayer Graphene

The spin density wave existing on the background of the inhomogeneous charge distribution is examined as a possible ground state of the magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene. When interactions are not included, the spectrum of the material has four (eight if spin is taken into account) almost flat almost degenerate bands. Interactions break down the degeneracy forming an order parameter which is usually assumed to be a spin density wave with a preset spin structure. Here, a possible charge density wave contribution to the order parameter; i.e., an inhomogeneous distribution of the charge density within a twisted graphene supercell is taken into account. The spin structure of the order parameter is calculated self-consistently. It is found that the density wave order is stable in the whole doping range from –4 to +4 extra electrons per supercell. The spin texture changes from collinear at zero doping to almost coplanar at finite doping. The density wave order shows nematic distortion when we dope the system. It is demonstrated that the local spin magnetization in energy units is much stronger than the charge density variation, unless doping exceeds three extra electrons or holes per supercell.

Effects of an inhomogeneous electron density distribution on the hydrogen distribution in TiZrTaNbAl multi-principal element alloys

A body-centered cubic equiatomic TiZrTaNbAl multi-principal element alloy (MPEA) with elemental fluctuations was investigated to further understand the relationship between the microstructure and hydrogen distribution. In this study, a composition dependence of the hydrogen distribution was observed in the TiZrTaNbAl MPEA. An inhomogeneous electron density distribution of the MPEA was revealed by advanced differential phase-contrast scanning electron microscopy (DPC-STEM) for the first time. The results showed that the electron density has a significant effect on the hydrogen distribution in TiZrTaNbAl MPEAs. This work provides new insight into the design of materials with high hydrogen storage capacity and high hydrogen embrittlement resistance.

Spatially Resolved Deconvolution of Loss Processes in PEM Fuel Cells

The complex operating behaviour of PEM Fuel Cells is heavily influenced by different non-linear loss processes, which limit the cell performance. Depending on the operating conditions, the different losses change in magnitude and characteristic time constants [1]. During technical operation of large-sized PEM Fuel Cells, gradients in operating conditions occur along the gas channels, resulting in an inhomogeneous current density distribution. This is caused by the locally varying electrochemical activity due to in-plane gradients in concentrations of reactants and reaction products, gas pressure and temperature. Consequently, each loss process occurs locally distributed to a varying degree. Therefore, a profound knowledge about the spatial distribution of losses is essential for optimizing the operating strategy as well as the cell and stack components.The commonly measured I/V characteristics provide only integral information about the overall performance. Thus, the data obtained represent merely the sum of all loss processes averaged over the entire cell area and do not allow detailed conclusions about the respective spatial distribution along the channel.Inevitably, in order to deconvolute the loss processes in the entire area of large sized cells, an approach is required that provides deeper insight in the processes and their interdependencies. For this purpose, an impedance-based methodology is developed that enables a spatially resolved deconvolution of loss processes. It is based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and an impedance data analysis by the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) [2,3] that is applied to a segmented cell [4] with almost gradient-free segments. By systematically varying operating conditions the different loss processes are identified, quantified and separated with respect to their characteristic frequencies.In this contribution the design of the test bench and the segmented cell will be presented. Furthermore, first results regarding the electrochemical characterization and the impedance-based deconvolution of loss processes in a segmented cell will be discussed. M. Heinzmann et al., J. Power Sources 402, pp. 24-33 (2018).H. Schichlein et al., J. Appl. Electrochem. 32, pp. 875-882 (2002).E. Ivers-Tiffée et al., J. Ceram. Soc. Japan 125, pp. 193-201 (2017).T. Reshetenko et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. 163, pp. F1100-F1106 (2016)

Theoretically Modeling Photoionized Regions with Fractal Geometry in Three Dimensions

We create a photoionization model embedded in the turbulent interstellar medium (ISM) by using the state-of-the-art Messenger Monte Carlo MAPPINGS V code (M3) in conjunction with the CMFGEN stellar atmosphere model. We show that the turbulent ISM causes the inhomogeneity of electron temperature and density within the nebula. The fluctuation in the turbulent ISM creates complex ionization structures seen in nearby nebulae. The inhomogeneous density distribution within the nebula creates a significant scatter on the spatially resolved standard optical diagnostic diagrams, which cannot be represented by the spherical constant-density photoionization model. We analyze the dependence of different optical emission lines on the complexity of nebular geometry, finding that the emission lines residing on the nebular boundary are highly sensitive to the complexity of nebular geometry, while the emission lines produced throughout the nebula are sensitive to the density distribution of the ISM within the nebula. Our fractal photoionization model demonstrates that a complex nebular geometry is required for the accurate modeling of H ii regions and emission-line galaxies, especially for the high-redshift galaxies, where the ISM is highly turbulent based on increasing observational evidence.

Теплоэлектрическая модель гетеропереходного биполярного транзистора с учетом падения напряжения на сопротивлении токоведущей металлизации

A 3D thermoelectric model has been developed to calculate the temperature field in the comb structure of a heterojunction bipolar transistor formed on the surface of a rectangular semiconductor crystal with the length of the emitter metallization paths comparable to the size of the crystal, taking into account the inhomogeneous distribution of current density under the emitter paths due to voltage drop on the resistance of current-carrying metallization. The model is based on the solution of the thermal conductivity equation together with a system of equations for the distribution of the potential for metallization of the emitter track and the current density under the track in the COMSOL Multiphysics software environment. It is shown that as a result of the combined effect of the voltage drop on the resistances of the emitter tracks, the inhomogeneity of the temperature field in a crystal with limited dimensions and the strong dependence of the emitter current density on temperature, the temperature and current density distributions along the emitter tracks change character: from monotonously and weakly decreasing from the beginning of the track to the end in the isothermal approximation, these distributions become non-monotonic and significantly heterogeneous. At the same time, the maximum current density and temperature with an increase in the operating current shifts from the beginning to the center of the tracks. It has also been found that with the crystal sizes unchanged, an increase in the length of the tracks leads to a certain decrease in the coefficient of inhomogeneity of the temperature distribution.

Using machine learning to predict the density profiles of surface-densified wood based on cross-sectional images

Over the past decades, the surface densification of solid wood has received increased attention. However, the inhomogeneous density distribution in the densification direction might be a challenge with regard to process control within a large-scale production process, as the density profile governs many relevant properties of surface-densified wood. Currently, the measurement of density profiles relies on sensitive X-ray equipment and is difficult to integrate into an on-line process. Hence, in this study, three machine learning approaches were applied to predict the density profiles of surface-densified Scots pine specimens, only based on visual image acquisition—a technology that is ubiquitous in the wood industry: partial least squares (PLS) regression, artificial neural networks (ANN), and convolutional neural networks (CNN). The machine learning models were trained on images of the specimen cross-sections as input data, and X-ray density profiles as output data. There were 1850 observations, and the model performance was evaluated on external test sets. The models had mean absolute percentage errors of the predicted values between 9 and 18%; the CNN achieving the smallest error (9.24%). A deeper analysis of the data revealed that the ANN approach performed inconsistently between observations. PLS regression predicted the main density peak to a high accuracy but could not model other features. Only the CNN could reliably model the main density peak, wide growth rings, and the important region between the specimen surface and the main density peak. The ability of the models to generalise to untypical new data was improved by augmentation of the training data.

Cloudlet Capture Model for Asymmetric Molecular Emission Lines Observed in TMC-1A with ALMA

TMC-1A is a protostellar source harboring a young protostar, IRAS 04365+2353, and shows highly asymmetric features of a few 100 au scale in its molecular emission lines. Blueshifted emission is much stronger in the CS (J = 5–4) line than redshifted emission. This asymmetry can be explained if the gas accretion is episodic and takes the form of cloudlet capture, given that the cloudlet is approaching toward us. The gravity of the protostar transforms the cloudlet into a stream and changes its velocity along the flow. The emission from the cloudlet should be blueshifted before the periastron, while it should be redshifted after the periastron. If a major part of cloudlet has not reached the periastron, the former should be dominant. We perform hydrodynamical simulations to examine the validity of the scenario. Our numerical simulations can reproduce the observed asymmetry if the orbit of the cloudlet is inclined to the disk plane. The inclination can explain the slow infall velocity observed in the C18O (J = 2–1) line emission. Such episodic accretion may occur in various protostellar cores since actual clouds could have inhomogeneous density distributions. We also discuss the implication of the cloudlet capture on observations of related objects.

Determining the atom number from detection noise in a one-dimensional optical lattice clock

In this paper, we demonstrate in situ synchronous frequency comparison between distinct regions in a one-dimensional optical lattice. The synchronous comparison instability is well below the Dick limit and agrees with the limit induced by atomic detection noise. The absolute atom number is extracted from the synchronous comparison instability with an uncertainty below 3%. Surpassing the performance of absorption imaging, this method provides a way to directly and precisely determine the absolute atom number from detection noise. Taking advantage of the inhomogeneous density distribution over the whole lattice, the density shift can also be conveniently measured by this synchronous frequency comparison method. Inconsistent with the expectation of the linear relationship between density shift and atom number difference, nonlinearity is observed, indicating that the assumption of an identical density shift coefficient over the whole lattice is not always safe.

The free electron model and the electronic energy losses of protons at low velocities interacting with polycrystalline tantalum

In this letter, we report experimental data and theoretical work on the electronic energy loss and energy loss straggling of protons transmitted through self-supported thin films of tantalum in a polycrystalline tetragonal phase . Low-energy protons with energies below 10 keV and Ta films with nominal thickness of 6, 9 and 12 nm are used. The aim of this work is to understand the unexpected values of the Ta stopping power for low-energy proton backscattering reported recently, which are far from the prediction of the standard free electron gas model and semi-empirical approaches. This had led the authors to conclude the failure of the free electron model. Our transmission measurements confirm these experimental results. In this work, a qualitative discussion and quantitative explanation of our experimental results is given, using an approach based on the density functional theory within the framework of the free electron gas (FEG) model. We performed semiclassical deterministic trajectory simulations and employ the local density approximation model, using an inhomogeneous electron density distribution and the polycrystalline character of Ta samples.

Discharge plasma formation in square capillary with gas supply channels

A comprehensive model of processes in a discharge capillary is required in order to obtain nominal parameters of a preformed plasma channel suitable for the laser wake-field acceleration. We present three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics simulations of a hydrogen gas filling process and discharge plasma formation in a short square shaped capillary with gas supply channels. Time evolution of the gas pressure and the plasma density in the capillary channel for a chosen discharge current profile is analyzed. Performed simulations provide distributions of the electric current, the magnetic field, and the electron density along the whole channel, taking into account gas supply areas as well as areas outside of the capillary. Obtained results show that the presence of gas supplies leads to the inhomogeneous plasma density distribution along the capillary channel which has to be taken into account for generating an optimal laser-driven electron beam.

Inhomogeneous defect distribution of triangular WS2 monolayer revealed by surface-enhanced and tip-enhanced Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy

Confocal optical microscopy and tip-enhanced optical microscopy are applied to characterize the defect distributions in chemical vapor deposition-grown WS2 monolayer triangles qualitatively and quantitatively. The presence of defects in individual monolayer WS2 triangles is revealed with diffraction-limited spatial resolution in their photoluminescence (PL) images, from which the inhomogeneous defect density distribution is calculated, showing an inverse relationship to the PL intensity. The defect-related surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) effect is investigated by depositing a thin copper phthalocyanine layer (5nm) as the probe molecule on the monolayer WS2 triangles surface. Higher SERS enhancement effects are observed at the defect-rich areas. Furthermore, tip-enhanced optical measurements are performed, which can reveal morphologically defected areas invisible in the confocal optical measurements. Furthermore, the area with high defect density appears brighter than the low-defected area in the tip-enhanced optical measurements, which are different from the observation in the confocal optical measurements. The underlying reasons are attributed to the near-field enhancement of the defect exciton emission induced by the optically excited tip and to an improved coupling efficiency between the tip-generated near-field with the altered dipole moment orientation at the local defect.

New proof of the inhomogeneous density distribution of matter inside the Earth (PZ-90.11)

Based on the revealed significant difference between the Stokes kernel and a uniform homogenous ellipsoid of revolution, the authors calculated that the density distribution of matter inside the Earth is not uniform. At the same time, the exact density distribution of the matter in a uniform ellipsoid of revolution is not specified.